Content Options

Columbia High SchoolColumbia High School Credits: File photo

By JOE STRUPP

August 27, 2018 at 3:10 PM

SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD, NJ - The South Orange Maplewood Board of Education confirmed Monday that the recent suspension of Athletic Director Larry Busichio, along with other staffers, stems from “highly disturbing” actions related to the troubled Columbia High School (CHS) baseball program.

But it still stops short of stating what those actions involved.

TAPintofirst reported on Saturday that Busichio had been placed on an indefinite paid suspension during the August 20 school board meeting, along with four other staffers, two of whom are believed to also be related to the baseball program.

As many in our community are aware, concerns were raised during the 2014–2015 and 2015-2016 school years about our High School baseball program. During the course of a lawsuit now pending against the district, the Board was recently presented with highly disturbing information about the management of the program during those seasons which prompted swift and aggressive action on our part to assure a positive and wholesome experience for our student-athletes.

The statement, which is posted in its entirety below, did not cite more specifics or name further individuals involved in the situation.

But it refers to the high school baseball program, in which several claims of bullying and intimidation were lodged against former head baseball coach Joseph Fischetti, who was not reappointed to the coaching position after the 2016 season and who is still a physical education teacher at the high school.

Fischetti was forced out of his coaching job two years ago after former players’ claims of bullying and has most recently been the head baseball coach at Newark Academy. Fischetti left CHS coaching ranks at the end of the summer of 2016 when the school board chose not to rehire him for the 2017 season. He has remained a tenured physical education teacher at CHS.

Fischetti’s CHS coaching departure ended a very lengthy and difficult time for the baseball program, which saw Fischetti accused of several instances of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

Those claims led to the hiring of an outside investigator in 2016 to look into the charges and the school board's decision to search for another coach for the 2017 season. One former student, David DeFranco, also filed a lawsuit against Fischetti, other coaches and the district claiming abusive treatment, which has yet to go to trial.

It is believed that that is the lawsuit referred to in Monday's statement.

Fischetti and former assistant baseball coach Matthew Becht filed their own lawsuit in June 2017 against the South Orange Maplewood School District claiming they were wrongly terminated and not given proper reviews. It named the entire board of education, former Superintendent John Ramos and Assistant Superintendent Kevin Walston as defendants. It also named Randy Nathan, the father of a former CHS baseball player who filed several HIB complaints against the coaches, as a defendant.

It adds that Fischetti, who was named head CHS baseball coach in 2013, was later exonerated by then-acting superintendent James Memoli. But when Ramos took over the district in August 2015 he reopened the issue and overturned Memoli’s previous decision.

Busichio has remained athletic director since the Fischetti issue occurred.

The school district’s entire statement is below:

Dear CHS Families,

As many in our community are aware, concerns were raised during the 2014–2015 and 2015-2016 school years about our High School baseball program. During the course of a lawsuit now pending against the district, the Board was recently presented with highly disturbing information about the management of the program during those seasons which prompted swift and aggressive action on our part to assure a positive and wholesome experience for our student-athletes.

Unfortunately, we are limited by law in what we can disclose to the public at this time, but we can report the following:

The baseball program has had new leadership since the Spring of 2017; and

The District has, over the last two school years, devoted considerable resources and training for Administrators, staff and coaches in the prevention, investigation and response to instances of harassment, intimidation and bullying (“HIB”). This work and the creation of a positive climate for all students remains a top priority in the coming year.

The District has already taken some additional steps we have felt necessary to protect our students going forward, and we may take further action in the future. We will release additional information as we are able to, but ask for the public's trust and patience as we move forward to address this sensitive and important matter.

PISCATAWAY, NJ - Bar cookies like Hello Dollies are a great activity for families with younger children, the kids simply layer the assembled and measured ingredients. Aside from chopping nuts and removing hot cookie sheets from the oven, the children can most certainly declare "I did it myself!"

This recipe for Hello Dolly Cookie Bars comes to us from the editors at TAPinto ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ - Bar cookies like Hello Dollies are a great activity for families with younger ...

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - The United States Postal Service (USPS) is working towards improving service to residents and businesses in South Orange, as customer service and deliveries are "below expectation," stated an update on the South Orange website.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Legendary journalist Bob Woodward sees President Donald Trump becoming more and more isolated, unwilling to listen to advisers and making impulsive decisions based on false information and assumptions.

"I think it's a national emergency in the White House," Woodward said when he appeared Monday night at the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

NEWARK, NJ - A corrections officer has been charged with sexual assault after having a relationship with an inmate at an Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.

Avril D. Richardson, 45, of Elizabeth has been charged with second-degree sexual assault for engaging in sexual conduct with an inmate at Northern State Prison, where she was employed as a senior correctional police officer, ...

NEWARK, NJ - A corrections officer has been charged with sexual assault after having a relationship ...

MONTCLAIR, NJ -- The Columbia girls basketball team rallied late, but couldn't overcome an early deficit in a 52-41 loss to Montclair Immaculate on opening night Friday on the road.

The Cougars fell behind, 34-20, at halftime before making a run in the second half. Gia Gillens scored 10 points for Columbia, which outscored Immaculate, 21-18, in the second half, and 10-4 in the final ...

MONTCLAIR, NJ -- The Columbia girls basketball team rallied late, but couldn't overcome an early ...

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - This Saturday, Dec. 15, is the third and final day when the "little houses" of Dickens Village are open for viewing in Ricalton Square in Maplewood Village. While the houses remain throughout the holiday season, this Saturday is the last chance to visit with Santa, take a horse & wagon ride, or visit the petting farm.

Here's the full schedule:

SATURDAY, DEC. 15

1-4 ...

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - This Saturday, Dec. 15, is the third and final day when the "little houses" of ...

NEWARK, NJ - The woman who was appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy to oversee University Hospital will be the new acting president of the embattled agency after its former leader resigned.

University Hospital’s Board of Directors passed a resolution on Thursday appointing Judith Persichilli to the position. John Kastanis, the former president, announced his resignation on Dec. 6, one day after ...

NEWARK, NJ - The woman who was appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy to oversee University Hospital will ...